National Audubon Society

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Bird Learning - Fast and Slow

According to my 20-something daughters, I am a luddite when it comes to technology. I readily admit to being resistant to using (or trusting) AI, eschewing most social media and preferring walks in the woods to surfing the net. But since joining Audubon, I have happily embraced technology-based tools that help me identify birds through sound and sight and I love looking at EBird to learn what species are being observed nearby. Recently, I encountered a video of a swan's lake landing that gave me an entirely new appreciation for this beautiful bird.

But my favorite on-line tools have to be BirdCast, Bird Canada’s Motus and Audubon’s Migratory Bird Explorer. Each site provides me with a different perspective on the miraculous annual journeys of millions of birds. BirdCast makes my brain explode when I learn how many millions of birds are in the sky over my home on a given spring night. The Motus website has helped me feel personally connected to specific birds as I watch them on the move (thinking about you, Kestral #57836). And the Migratory Bird Explorer is a rabbit hole of discovery as I click through migratory route data that span continents.

So yes, I am slowly evolving into more of a technophile, at least as far as birds are concerned. But still, there’s no substitute for experiencing birds and migration in person. This fall, we’ll celebrate the wonders of migration with a number of events from Bird Tours in Baltimore to John James Audubon Center’s Community Day and The Discovery Center’s Discovery Fest. In October, we’ll host the 4th Annual Philadelphia Birding Weekend. We encourage you to join us! (More details below.)

And I would also argue that there’s still no substitute for bird-related books—from field guides to E.B. White. The aforementioned swan video led me to my bookshelf and to this closing paragraph of White’s The Trumpet of the Swan:
“On the pond where the swans were, Louis put his trumpet away....Darkness settled on the woods and the field and marsh. A loon called its wild night cry. As Louis relaxed and prepared for sleep, all his thoughts were of how lucky he was to inhabit such a beautiful earth, how lucky he had been to solve his problems with music, and how pleasant it was to look forward to another night of sleep and another day tomorrow, and the fresh morning, and the light that returns with the day.”

--Suzanne

Tundra swan in water. Photo: Cheryl Pelavin

Audubon Mid-Atlantic presence at conference.

Audubon Mid-Atlantic Attends Conference in Canada

In mid-July, Audubon Mid-Atlantic staff joined 11 regional chapter leaders at the Audubon Leadership Conference in Montreal, Canada. Tess Wilson, Network Engagement Manager, played a key role in planning and implementing the robust conference agenda. Susie Creamer, Baltimore Program Director, moderated two panel discussions centered on community-driven programming. Keith Russell, Program Manager for Urban Conservation, contributed to a workshop focused on using science and diplomacy to prevent bird collisions with buildings. Robin Irizarry, Manager of the Delaware River Watershed Program, participated in a panel titled “Conserving the 300 Million Acres Birds Need—Where You Can Help Across the Hemisphere,” where he shared insights from his conservation work. In addition, Keith and Robin led birding field trips alongside other Audubon staff and partners.

In total, 450 attendees were present at the conference, including conservation leaders from 11 countries, 48 US states, and 22 colleges and universities.

Audubon Mid-Atlantic presence at conference.

Julie leading an outdoor nature journaling event.

FAO Schwarz Fellow Documents Works with Audubon

On her one year anniversary as an FAO Schwarz Fellow with Audubon, Julie Kleaver took time to author a blog post describing her work teaching environmental science at several elementary schools in North Philadelphia. Julie created a four-lesson curriculum that explores topics such as soil science, native plants, pollinators, and bird migration. Julie also organized a variety of events in collaboration with local schools, including field trips, cleanup days, and service-learning activities.

In addition, Julie wrote an article for Green Philly, where she describes the practice of nature journaling - a centuries-old method of recording observations, questions, and reflections about the natural world through a combination of words, drawings, and numbers.

On Saturday, August 23, you can start your own nature journaling practice – Julie will lead a workshop at the Discovery Center from 10:00am to 12:00pm. More information is available on our website.

Julie leading an outdoor nature journaling event.

Philadelphia Birding Weekend birding trip

Save the Date for Audubon’s Philadelphia Birding Weekend

Audubon’s Philadelphia Birding Weekend is back for its fourth year! This highly anticipated seasonal event invites birders and nature lovers to explore both familiar and new locations in search of migratory and resident bird species alongside Audubon and our partners.

Philadelphia Birding Weekend will take place from Friday, October 10 to Sunday, October 12, and will again feature guided bird walks across Philadelphia during the peak of fall migration. As thousands of birds pass through our region, the city's network of green spaces becomes the perfect place for observation and discovery.

Whether you're an experienced birder, a curious naturalist, or a family looking for a meaningful outdoor adventure, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. From paddling across the reservoir at The Discovery Center, to introducing young children to the wonders of birdwatching in the Woodlands, each tour will offer a unique way to connect with nature. The experiences will also highlight the cultural history of each site and the vital conservation work led by Audubon, Bird Safe Philly, and other partners.

Come celebrate birds, nature, and the stories of Philadelphia’s landscapes during this unforgettable weekend. More information on the individual trips and event registration coming soon – keep an eye on our social media and newsletters!

Philadelphia Birding Weekend birding trip

Pennsylvania I Bird I Vote Conservation and Policy Summit

Join Audubon Mid-Atlantic on Friday, October 24th and Saturday, October 25th in State College for this gathering of environmental advocates from around Pennsylvania! Over the course of this summit, we will learn from Pennsylvania’s environmental champions, share opportunities for advocacy, and build community around the urgent needs of birds and people who call Pennsylvania home.
This will be an opportunity to:

Learn about current and proposed policies that support birds in Pennsylvania
Hear from state conservation and policy leaders including experts from Audubon, The Nature Conservancy, PennEnvironment, and elsewhere
Network with Audubon Mid-Atlantic, Audubon chapters, the Pennsylvania Audubon Council, and members from across PA
Strategize for current and future legislative sessions
Discuss how Pennsylvania factors into federal policy impacts with National Audubon Society government affairs staff

Formal programming will begin Friday afternoon. For those who arrive early, Friday morning will include an optional field trip, led by a team of Audubon Mid-Atlantic's forestry and conservation experts. A limited amount of hotel rooms have been set aside for Thursday evening.

Registration is $175 and includes: all conference sessions and forestry field trip, Friday Group Dinner, Saturday Breakfast, Saturday Lunch, and coffee and snacks throughout.

Pre-registration is currently open for Audubon chapter leaders and general registration will open on August 25th! Contact Tess Wilson at tess.wilson@audubon.org for more information.

Black-throated blue warbler on branch. Photo: Megumi Aita

Other Fall Events You Won’t Want to Miss

Community Day at the John James Audubon Center

John James Audubon Center’s annual Community Day Celebration will be held on Sunday, Sept. 21st from 3:00pm until 7:00pm! The day’s events will include bird tours, multiple children’s activities designed to entertain and engage, and plenty of other indoor and outdoor festivities.

Join us on Saturday, September 27th for DiscoveryFest!

Celebrate DiscoveryFest with The Discovery Center, Audubon Mid-Atlantic, The Philadelphia Outward Bound School, and the North Philadelphia community. This annual event brings together local organizations to showcase this vibrant and hidden gem of North Philadelphia.

Enjoy hands-on experiences throughout the day:

The Philadelphia Outward Bound School will open its zipline.

Audubon Mid-Atlantic will lead tower tours and birdwatching walks, highlighting birds in early fall migration.

At 11:00am and 1:00pm, we’ll guide two hikes to our memorial garden, where visitors can enjoy music from The Birdsong Project with stunning views of the Philadelphia skyline.

Guests are invited to relax by the peaceful reservoir and take in the music, nature, and community.

Community Day 2024. Photo: Allie Ippolito

CONNECT WITH US

Audubon Mid-Atlantic
3401 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19121
(610) 990-3431 | audubon.org

© 2025 National Audubon Society, Inc.

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